Idaho Wildfires: 500-Acre Gaston Fire Near Aberdeen Continues, Rice Fire Near Malta Extinguished

Fire crews in southeastern Idaho are tackling two separate wildfires. The Gaston Fire, a vegetation blaze about 13 miles northwest of Aberdeen, has burned roughly 500 acres. It was first detected on Saturday evening by satellite hotspots, and authorities have not yet disclosed containment status or any structures at risk. The cause of the Gaston Fire remains unknown.

Further south, the Rice Fire near the community of Malta was reported on Saturday afternoon. It expanded to about 50 acres by early evening. Local responders deployed both ground crews and aerial drops, and rainfall helped suppress the blaze later that night. Officials said the fire was fully knocked down, though the cause is still under investigation.